For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Madiba.

Making headlines: Mkhwebane joins EFF; For now, it looks like fuel prices might be cut in November; And, Govt worker strike to hit IT at Home Affairs, Sassa

Mkhwebane joins EFF

Former Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane found a political home in the party whose leader once called her "a puppet from Gupta's kitchen" – the Economic Freedom Fighters.

At a media briefing at Bhusak Car Wash in Kwaggafontein, the Mpumalanga town where Mkhwebane grew up, EFF MP Reneiloe Mashabela welcomed Mkhwebane to the party.

Last month, Mkhwebane became the first head of a Chapter 9 institution to be removed from her post after protracted parliamentary impeachment proceedings that culminated in serious findings against Mkhwebane.

The Section 194 Committee – that conducted the impeachment inquiry – made a variety of findings of misconduct and incompetence related to some of Mkhwebane's politically explosive investigations, including the SARS investigative unit and the CR17/Bosasa matters; specifically that Mkhwebane did not display impartiality and independence, and entered the investigations with a predetermined outcome in mind.

Mkhwebane said during her seven years as Public Protector, she didn't belong to any political party, as the post requires political non-partisanship.

For now, it looks like fuel prices might be cut in November

Based on the current oil, international fuel and rand prices, the latest data from the Central Energy Fund shows that petrol prices could be cut by around R1.90 a litre in November, while diesel prices could be lowered by between 69c and 75c a litre.

However, there are still more than two weeks to go before the final prices are set. Fuel prices will only be adjusted on November 1.

South African fuel prices are largely determined by international oil costs and the rand exchange rate, as oil is priced in dollars.

Oil prices have been extremely volatile as fighting between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza continued.

A wider war in the oil-rich Middle East risks hitting supplies, which could push prices higher. However, a war could also tip the world economy into recession, cooling demand for fuel.

And, Govt worker strike to hit IT at Home Affairs, Sassa

Government services, including hospitals, Home Affairs and grant payments across the country could be without technical support tomorrow as thousands of State Information Technology Agency employees down tools.

SITA employees who are members of the Public Servants' Association of SA handed over a strike notice last week, indicating their intention to participate in a national shutdown after holding a number of lunchtime pickets.

The shutdown will continue indefinitely until workers' demands are met, a spokesperson for the union said.

This comes as negotiations between SITA and the PSA over salary increases for the 2023/24 financial year reached a deadlock in June.

Talks have been ongoing since February, with the PSA demanding an above-inflation increase of 7.5%. SITA's latest offer was 5%.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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